Conversation Analysis 101

Rule 1 Current speaker selects the next speaker Transition rules operate at transition relevance places (the rules that follow are adapted from Levinson (1983, p. 298)). The first rule recognizes the fact that it is possible to indicate within a turn-constructional unit that at its end…

Rule 2 Next speaker self-selects So far, we have only considered examples where the current speaker selects the next speaker within his or her turn at talk, either by nominating the person or by using specific questions (e.g. requests for clarification). However, there will always be…

Rule 4 Recursive application of Rules 1-3 In the previous analysis (reproduced below for ease of access) we have seen that when Rule 3 has been applied, i.e. the current speaker chooses to continue with their turn at talk because they have not selected the next speaker…

Types of overlapping talk We have noted that one general characteristic of conversation is that interlocutors talk one at a time. Clearly, there will be instances when this is not so. For example, a listener may begin his or her talk…

Accidental overlap Consider the following extract from a conversation between two people [NB: the symbol consisting of two parallel lines // indicates the starting point at which the talk is overlapped by the talk on the immediately following line]. 1 Deepak: …

Intentional overlap Contrast the previous example (Inadvertent Overlap) with the following extract taken from a conversation between two people. 1 Nicholas: I thought it was a sensible 2 consi//deration to walk 3 Mary: that’s…

Ways of resolving overlapping talk We have noted elsewhere (see Definition of Conversation) that, in the relatively few instances when there is overlapping talk, interlocutors attempt to rectify the situation by reverting to a state of one, and only one, speaker as quickly as possible. How…